Spirits Europe names Ian McLernon president

Trade body Spirits Europe has appointed Rémy Cointreau’s Asia Pacific CEO, Ian McLernon, as its new president for a two-year term.

McLernon, who is also Rémy Cointreau’s CEO of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and global travel retail (GTR), has taken over the position from Manu Giró.

Giró, the CEO of Destilerias MG in Spain, was president of Spirits Europe for two years.

Based in London, McLernon has worked for French group Rémy Cointreau for more than six years, previously holding the roles of president and CEO of the Americas region, and CEO of GTR.

Prior to joining Rémy Cointreau, he worked for Moët Hennessy.

“It is a great honour and responsibility for me to take on the leadership of Spirits Europe and represent such an iconic sector with its global reputation for quality, innovation, and export success,” McLernon said.

In his new role, McLernon will help to promote, protect and grow Europe’s spirits sector in the European Union (EU) and in third markets.

“From farm to glass, spirits are an integral part of Europe’s culinary culture of quality, pleasure and conviviality,” McLernon added. “I salute the legacy of my predecessor Manu Giró who successfully steered the organisation through the challenging circumstances of the past years.

“In current times of geopolitical tensions and economic volatility, my main objective is to drive forward our sector’s ambitious roadmap and commitments in the areas of environmental sustainability, external trade, consumer information and digital labelling, product innovation, and responsible drinking.”

McLernon said the goal of the organisation is to ensure that EU policies structurally support the spirits sector.

Spirits Europe recently voiced its concern over amendments to the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which could ‘standardise’ the designs of spirits bottles and ‘undermine brand identity’.